Community consultation has begun on a
development proposal that seeks to bring over a thousand new residential units to the current site of Thornhill’s Shouldice Hospital.
The City of Markham has received the official plan and zoning by-law amendment applications by Liberty Developments for 7750 Bayview Ave., the current site of the hospital, which is one of Canada’s few private healthcare facilities and specializes in hernia procedures. The amendments would allow for the development of three buildings on the site, consisting of five combined towers ranging from 18 to 35 storeys and home to 1,287 residential units.
The applications mark the beginning of the first phase of a long-term, multi-phased development of the property. The hospital itself will be unaffected and will continue to operate under a lease arrangement for 16 more years.
At a public meeting on Sept. 9, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents heard from representatives of Liberty Developments regarding the proposed development’s impact on stormwater management and transportation.
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According to Liberty’s presentation, the development will coincide with traffic improvement measures in the area, such as an extension of Royal Orchard Blvd to intersect with Bayview Avenue at the signalized intersection at Green Lane.
Over the longer term, Liberty contends that their studies show development in the area will continue to be acceptable with regards to traffic due to future planned improvements such as the widening of Bayview Avenue and the addition of HOV lanes, and the
extension of the Yonge subway line.
According to Tim Arnott of BA consulting group, retained by Liberty Developments, a private shuttle service is planned for the development, which would provide direct connections to rapid transit stations and would be overseen by the condominium board.
“I think the appeal of the shuttle for those who would look into buying a residence here is that they could facilitate their travel without using a car,” said Arnott, who said the shuttle will likely connect with Finch station at first, and later with the planned Clarke station on the proposed Yonge subway extension.
Future community meetings are due to be held virtually on Sept 23, where heritage preservation and building heights and built form are due to be discussed, and Oct 6, where the discussion will be the overall project.